On
Wednesday, delegates convened in two Sub-Working
Groups (SWGs). SWG-I considered draft
recommendations on the composite report on
status and trends of traditional knowledge (TK),
and on sui generis systems, and decided to
postpone discussions on the regime on access to
genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS)
pending regional consultations. SWG-II addressed
participatory mechanisms and recommendations by
the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII);
and approved a draft recommendation on
indicators. Delegates continued consultations on
the Ethical Code of Conduct in a Contact Group.

On
transboundary distribution of biological resources, IIFB
preferred "considering the establishment of"
regional frameworks rather than "establishing"
them and requested full and effective participation of
indigenous communities in this regard.

Above photo: JoJi Cariño (IIFB)

SWITZERLAND
preferred language on the mutual supportiveness of the
work of CBD and WIPO.

Above photo: Marie Kraus-Wollheim (Switzerland)

In
the afternoon, pursuant to informal consultations held
during lunch, COLOMBIA suggested new text: referring to
mutual supportiveness, avoidance of duplication of
efforts, and communication of information on the
elements of sui generis systems to other relevant
organizations; and acknowledging the work of WIPO on IPR
aspects of sui generis systems for TK protection
and ongoing discussions in the WTO on the TRIPS-CBD
relationship.

Above photo: Fernando Casas (Colombia)

SUB-WORKING
GROUP II: PARTICIPATORY
MECHANISMS

The
RUSSIAN ASSOCIATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE NORTH,
supported by IIFB, called on delegates to create a CBD
voluntary fund, building on past experiences in the UN
system such as the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous
Populations, and requested a reference to the work of
the UNPFII.

Above photo: Mikhail Todyshev (RAIPON)

Noting
that the CBD’s “financial mechanism” only provides
funding according to countries’ national priorities,
the GEF suggested instead referring to its “funding
mechanism” which is better suited to provide funding
for capacity building and translation of documentation
into local languages

Above photo L-R: Yoko Watanabe and Mario Ramos
(GEF)

The
US
, supported by the EU, suggested extending a broader
invitation to potential funding sources for capacity
building.